Justification for their decision included that his English was too good and inconsistencies in the spelling of his name when translated.

The verdict came despite being vouched for by an Army officer and a second Afghan interpreter, not to mention the numerous clearly visible scars that remain from the Taliban bomb blast and a photograph of Hottak being treated in a military hospital.

Afghan interpreters working with British forces in Afghanistan

A UK Border Agency letter explaining the decision ended with: "Given that your claimed employment within Afghanistan is not accepted, it is not accepted that you received threats from the Taliban.

"You have not been found to be a credible witness and there are no known reasons as to why would be unable to return to Kabul and reside with your family."

A cursory investigation by The Times however, was able to quickly verify all of Hottak's claims including records of his treatment in an army hospital for blast injuries.

The funeral of Captain John McDermid who was killed in the blast that injured Hottak

The Times investigation brought the case to the attention of Julie Brazier MP and a member of the Defence Select Committee, who raised it with Mark Harper, the immigration Minister.

A spokesman for the UK Border Agency confirmed the U-turn, saying: "We have informed Mr Hottak this evening that we have withdrawn our decision and will fully review his application."